Hoist grab



May 26, 1942. J. W. TODD 2,284,238

HOIS T GRAB Filed sept. 16, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 1 um" JmL.

l E v ATTORNIEKS4 wlTNEslsEs. GO N *J BY i Odg' MM. @www4-v May 26, 1942. J. w. TODD 2,284,238

HOIST GRABA Filed Sept. 16, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q vh N wus A s l 'n INVENTOR.

0 ATTORNEY@ J. W. TODD HOIST GRAB Filed Sept. 16, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 @mi WW;

INVENTOR. L MWL Q c W/rN 535s. MMM. o

| FIIHHHU J. W. TODD May 26, 1942.

HOIST GRAB Filed Sep'I'..4 16, 1941 4 SheeLS-Sheei 4 INQVNTOR. M ovloL. ai@

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ATTORNEKS.

Patented May 26, 1942 l A STATES PATENT` OFFICE 2,284,238 Hors'r GRAB John W. Todd, Ben Avon, Pa. 'Application september 16, 1941, serial No. 410,975

' 11 Claims.

The invention relates to hoist grabs for moving piles or packages of plates, sheets and strip metal that has been cut into desired lengths, coils of metal, castings and the likeall ofwhich are hereinafter sometimes collectively designated as unit loads. v Y

Various considerations are involved in the provision of hoist grabs for moving piles of at metals. The metal varies in width and length throughout wide ranges, and unit quantities of it are frequently piled quite high. Also, for economy of space in warehouse, factory, mill and like floors, it is desirable to arrange piles of such metal as closely as possible` consistent with ease of engagement of unit quantities of it by available hoist grabs. f

It is an object of the invention to providera grab whose jaws have a wide range of lateral extension to engage metal of different widths, and whose over-all width. is not greater than the spacing of the jaws when they are at their minimum distance from each other so that, without obstruction, the grabxmay be vlowered between closely spaced high piles of metal to reach the unit quantities of themetal of a low intervening pile.

A more specific object is to provide a grab whose jaws are each borne by multiple-part extensible arms for the engagement of both wide and narrow metal, 'so that when used to engage narrow metal the over-allV width of the grab will not b greater than thespacing of the jaws.

A further object is to provide a' grab having laterally. extensible jaws which are also adjustable longitudinally of the grab to vary its eifective length. Y

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, lof which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a grab embodying the invention,` the grab being fully extended lengthwise; Fig.v 2 a side elevation of the same grab when fully-V shortenedlengthwise; Fig. 3 an end elevation of the ygrab viewed from the right as seen in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 a plan view ofthe grab as seen in Fig. 1, the grab being fully extended sidewise as well as lengthwise; Fig. 5 a central cross-sectional view taken on the line V-V of Fig. 4; Fig.v 6 a central longitudinal sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 4, the grab being Vcontracted lengthwise as rshown in Fig. 2; Fig. 7 an elevation of the inside of a'modiiied grab jaw; and Fig. 8 a vertical sectional view taken on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7.

The grab provided according to this vinvention has a frame adapted' to ,be suspended from a hoisting apparatus. As far'as concerns some features of the invention the frame may be of unitary construction, and as far as it concerns others it is formed Vin parts comprising a central mainsection and supplementary end` sections adapted to bemoved relatively of the main section longitudinally 'of the grabvariable to lengthen it. At each of the oppositely disposed sides of the grab there are at leasttwo laterally extensible arms, eachof which is preferably formed of an inner section which is carried by the frame andan outer section which is carried by land is movable longitudinally with and relativelyv to the inner section. Preferablythe outer section is telescopically mounted withineach inner arm section so that the outer may be supported by the inner arm section, the latter being supported by the frame. .The outer ends of the outer, arm sections are provided with depending load-engaging jaws which may be variously constructed according to the service requirements of the grab. Suitable` driving connections are .provided Vfor simultaneously moving the laterally extensible arms variably to widen the grab soV that. it may engagev unit loads of different widths, such connections preferably being of the Y' rack and piniony type.

VWhen the frame of the grab is formed in sections, as, has been explained, the longitudinally movable ysupplementary frames are each provided with afpair of laterallymovable arms which vare preferably of themultiple-section extensible type. Also, the central or main frame may be similarly provided with a pair of arms. Variably to'lengthenthe grab, and also to shorten y itv when lengthened, means are provided forsimultaneously moving the supplemental frames from and towards the main frame, such means preferably including telescopically arranged drive shafts.` VVWhile each laterally extensible'arm may be `provided with a load-engaging jaw, the outer ends ,of the arms at each side ofthe grab may be provided with abar on which jaws are mounted for longitudinal adjustment.V

Having reference now to the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the grab there,- shown comprises a main frame l and supplementary e end frames 2 and 2a, the main frame being provided with a yoke 4 adapted to beV engaged by hoist mechanism. Mounted for lateral movements at the sides of main frame l there are laterally Aextensible arms 5 and 6 (Figs. 4, @and 6) which are alike, each being formed of an inner section 'I in the form of a box beam which is ,slidably mounted in and supported by the taneously. moved laterallyl same as the arms 5 andV 6.N

frame, and an outer section 8 in the form of a channel which is telescopically mounted in and supported by the outer section. The outer end of each outer arm section is provided with aA `downwardly extendingl leg '9, to the lower end of which there'is attached a suitable'work-engaging jaw I which may bein the form of an angle.

For .laterally extending and retracting the arms simultaneously, the central portion of main frame' I is provided-with a rotatable vertical shaft II `(Figs.4 and 6) to `the medial portion ofv which there is attached a pinion I2 that` meshes with racks I3 andv I4 borne by the sides 1 f,

of inner arm sections 1. Thus, rotation of shaft II, in the manner presently tovbe explained, causes inner arm sections 1 to movefoutwardly or inwardly ofthe main frame.u

mounted in each of the innerarm Vsections there withcollars-48as seen in Fig. 6.

While variousmeansrmay beused for supporting the supplementary frames 2 and 2a by main frame I in the longitudinally adjustable positions of the latter with relation to the former, the

--supp1ementary frames are preferably supported by vtelescopic arms constructed the same as those Rotatably l u engaging jaws.

is a stub shaft I5 provided at one end with Va pinion I5 that meshes with aV stationary raclr-`l1v J borne. bysthe main frame, and .at .its other. end kwith azpinionxI .fthat'meshes iwith a-ra'ck I9. attachedtolthe inside-ofthe upper=horizontal ange v y ofzthechannel thatiforms .router arm-section 6.

It'xwillrbe .seen .that whenshaft fI I -isrotated to 1 cause inner armssection 1.to; slide 'laterallyfout- Ywardly ofthe frame; stubshaft I5 iscarried with the inner arm` section and iscaused to rotate by the .engagement'of v'its .pinion I6 with frame rack I1. "By this rotation ofstub shanft'.` I5 vits-pinion I8 is rotated;so that; throughrack I9, outer arm usedforl supporting the laterally movable work- `As `seen particularly in Fig. 4, supplementaryframe 2 is supported by two arms 55 and56, and supplementary frame 2a by two like yarms 55a;an'd.56a. Each offthese four arms f consistsofzan sinner. section51r-inrrtheform of a se'ctionlf!Y is .moved outwardly'. with relation to i 5 innerlarrn section 1.as-wellras.with it.

, 'I-he Aconstruction of., each Llaterally Aextensible armi 5and Biborneby the'main frameisthesame, -as iwell las. are .rack vand pinion :drive vconnections for.` each, Lthe arrangement V4being such that when arms, frame I :provided with '.vertic'al'shaftsY 'lpinoni 63 which. meshes with :racks 64'.

i box beam' whichisfslidablymounted inthe upper portionof. frame 1,.;5andran outer zsection 58 in theform `cfia'ichanne'l 'which slidably. mounted in innner section 51, theV parts 51 and: l58 being constructe'olsthe; same :as the corresponding parts 1iand 8 of thezjaw-supportingrarms. `Arms 56 and55a are ,arrangedv ini pairs: 'extending' from oppositeends.'ofiframe,.I,fas are also arms` 55' and 55a. i

"..lorf` extending.: and; retracting these'. pairs lof 59AL andaIIil)Y (Fig. f5) ,Lto the; upper: endsof:- which .bevel t pinions 6I. and 62, irespectively, are 4attached. Shaft 59 is providedjn'edially with a borne by inner sections151zof arms56cand iia. iA stub vertical shaft ILislrotatedlthese arms. are: simulv from. or; towards.. the framelike amounts :variably to position thezworkf Vengagingq'avvs attachedtoptheouter .ends 'of the outer arm sections. Y Y

Supplementary `frame 2 is: providedlwith;Y aipair of .laterally extensible. armsl uandzZGgandsupf I plementary Vframe.2a` with Va.' pair: of; like.: arms 25a and 26a (Fig. 4) eaehof'which:pairsrofx arms is shown as being co "tructedaandidriven"the -pairofV armsg 5 :and L6. The Ipair of arms 25Yandi26 are-drivenzbyaalvertical shaft 21 (Fig. 6)'l borne.by,supplementaryramel, the 1 `pair of arms-25a and borne by supplementaryrameia-,l and` extending -from each there-are'rackand pinion drive Scon- -26a by a verticalishaft 28 nections the same as-described Awith referenceto supporting arms borne #by -.the f.supplernentary frames. v 1

' -For simultaneously rotating vertical shaftsgjl I, '-'21 and 28 `their upper-'.endsuareJ provided', I .re-

spectively, I M with pinionsV 33,#34?

with pinions" 30, 3l Vand32 -which'inesh 1 provided .with a hand wheel 31. vAri-prolongation -38 of 'this shaftvris telescopically positioned within a -tube`- 39 which lis attached at its outer. end

to afshaftrotatably mounted inf frames 2;: on

which shaft pinion 34-is-mounted. Surrounding and fwhos'e; left end, asf similarly Accordingly, it` vis .unnecessary to describe in L further v detail the. construction. bf

and driving connections for.. .the extensible l'jawthereV is a shaft l section $51,; isLprovidedi at; one: vendf with:y acpinion '5S :lwhichz meshes-.'with a .stationary rack; 51-4 attached .to iframe Inanduat itslother Zend withia r pinion? 68which meshesrwith 'azrackfzborne by Vthe upper horizontal flange1-of. outer :armf section258. S.'Thus,..the inner lsections 51 of arms 15B and a are caused to move from or towards I .frame I by theirotation of;shaft` 59,` and;` in such Imovements-.of the-..innerarm sections, pinions 55 'engage'. racks .51: .to cause'istub :shafts 1 6 5 ttonroftates'othatthepinions Ii 8L attached ,toA them cause outer Larm.'sectionsi :58..to1f movei: telescopically within theinnerrarr'n: sections.

1 isadapted t be turnedlby-la hand wheel 1l andis equipped with pinions 12 and 13 that rmes'h,: re-

spectivelywithipinionsI{and52. has', beenerplainedggrabsjof.Ltheztype :con-

i templatedbythis linventionl .mayrhave unitary i, frames with no .provision for- .varying the'. 4longitudinalwspacingfof the ;load-en`gagi'ng:jaws. l As byV a telescopic drive ishaftj# LRotatably .mounted y in supplementary frame 'Zar'.Vv y Y n whichI carries piniony i'35 .-andwhoseY outerfie'nd is vertical jaw-supp' o`rltingi*legs'A 15 maybe provided f atltheir lowerfe'nds -witha lbalr f 16 on which .load- Venga-ging jawsare vmounted-fori longitudinal. .ad-

= justment. lrVarious #forms7 of lisuchl jaws. .maybe "used, fI-hat shown-in'lFigs'. '11andf8 :iconsistslof a ;U v-s'haped yokel'111providedat its lower; endlwith a horizontal load-engaging ilange '118. -When j'yoke 11j is placed over desired i position- Yon--it, the` yoke may` 'bel bari -16--and--movedto its gh'eld A*iirmlyin place by anv 'angle' 19 whoselhorizontal Y from main frame I.

5, 6, 25, 26, 25a and 26abeing there illustrated' in their outermost positions for engaging wide unit loads, and supplementary frames 2 and 2a being there illustrated in their farthest positions in cantilever fashion by the frame members, and their outer sections 8 are similarly supported by the inner sections. Variably to adjust the lateral spacing of jaws It)v for engaging unit loads of diiferent widths, hand wheel 31 is rotated to turn shaft 36. Through the feathered connection 45 between the prolongation 38 tube 45 and the feathered connection between drive tubes 39 and 45, the several drive tubes and shafts are simultaneously rotated. In this way rotation of hand wheel 31 drives pinions 33, 34 and 35 to cause vertical shafts I l, 21 and 28 to be rotated. Through the rack and pinion connections between these vertical .shafts and inner arm section 1, and between the latterand outer arm sections 8, the jaw-supporting arms are telescopically extended and retracted. The lateral adjustment of these arms is eiective in all of the longitudinally adjustable positions of supplementary frames 2 and 2a with relation to main frame l by reason of the telescopic relationship of shaft prolongation 38 and tube 39, each of these being provided with feathering ribs throughout their entire length. Thus, as shown in Figs. l and 4, when the supplemental frames are at their outermost positions, the inner ends of shaft 38 and tube 33 lie substantially at the ends of frame l.

For adjusting the supplementary with relation to the main frame, hand wheel 1| (Fig. 5) is turned to rotate shaft 10, which, through the pinions there shown, rotatevertical shafts 59 and 60. These shafts, through rack and pinion drives, telescopically extend or retract the supplementary with relation to the main frame. The grab mayv be adjusted lengthwise or laterally independently so that in length or width the load-engaging jaws may be placed at any desired position between the maximum expanded position shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, and the minimum contracted position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. Thus the grab may be used for engaging and moving unit loads of metal whose width varies throughout a wide range.

Because the load-engaging jaws at the outer ends of the arms extend vertically downward from the outer ends of their supporting arms, the grab may be lowered between closely spaced piles of metal. The telescopic arrangement of the arms makes it possible to adjust them outwardly throughout a wide range without causing their inner ends to project outwardly beyond the opposite sides of the grab. Hence the grab may be lowered between closely spaced high piles of metall to reach the metal of a lowintervening pile. It is also characteristic of the grab that it is simple in construction, easy to operate, and requires small head room.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes I have explained the principle and operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its In this Vposition of the lateral arms, their inner sections 1 are supported understood that, within the scope ofthe appended- 83 may be provided to of shaft 36 and drive claims, the invention may :be practiced otherwise-1 than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:v l

l. In a hoist grab, the combination of a frame' adapted to be suspended from a support, arms positioned at. oppositely-disposed .sides of the' frame each formed of an inner section carried by the frame and an outer section carried by and movable longitudinally with and relatively to saidv inner k"section, theouter ends of said outer section.. y

being provided.- with depending load-engaging jaws, jaw-positioning connections for simultaneously extending each of said inner arm sections from and retracting them toward the frame, and connections between the inner and outer sections of each arm for longitudinally'extending or retracting the latter relatively to the former when the former is extended or retracted,.respectively.

2. In ahoist grab,l the combination of a frame adapted to be suspended from-'asupport arms positioned at voppositely-'disposed sides of Vthe frame each formed of an inner section carried by and movable laterally of the frame and an outer section carried'by and movable longitudinally with and relatively to said inner section, the outer Y ends of said outer arm sections being provided with load-engaging jaws, and means for extendving each ofV said inner arm sections from'and retracting .them toward said frame and for simultaneously moving said outer arm sections'in the.

same direction andrelatively to said inner arm sections.

3. In a hoist grab, the combinationof a frame adapted to be suspended'irom a support, armsV positioned at oppositely-disposed sides -of the frame each formed of an inner section slidably mounted in the frame and an outer section telescopically mounted in and movable longitudinally with and relativelj7 to said inner section, the outer ends of said outer arm sections being provided with load-engaging jaws, jaw-positioning connections for simultaneously extending each of said inner arm sections from and for retracting them towards said frame, and connections between the inner and outer sections of each jaw arm for telescopically extending or retracting the latter relatively to the former when the former is extended or retracted, respectively.V

4. In a hoist grab, the combination of a frame adapted to be suspended from supporting arms positioned at oppositely-disposed sides of saidy frame each formed of an inner section slidably mounted in said frame and an outer section telescopically mounted in and movable longitudinally with relation to said inner section, the outer ends of said outer arm section being provided with depending load-engaging jaws, and rack and pinion connections between the frame and said inner arm sections and between the latter and .said outer arm sections for simultaneously extending and retracting the inner arm sections with relation 'to the frame and the outer with relation to the inner arm sections.

5. In a hoist grab, the combination of a main frame, a supplemental frame at each end of the main frame, arms mounted at the opposite- -disposed sides of said main and supplemental frames for movements laterally thereof, said arms being provided at their outer ends with load-engaging jaws, means for moving said supplemental frames to and from said main frame lengthwise of the grab variably Ato lengthen it, and means for simultaneously extending and rebest embodiment. However, I desire to have itl Y tractingsaid arms-at allv relative positions of. said; L

supplemental and main Lframeset I 6,.1n a. -hoistgrabgthe combi anni '0f-.amara framaiaY supplemental `frameat eachlend-ofsthe: 1 1 main frame,V arms mounted at the oppositely-` 6 disposed-sides ofsaidmain landt, supplemental frames fon movements .flaterally `tliereonusaidi arms beingI provided; at their. Y. outer? ends; with. load-.engagingjaws .rac and pinion connections" for moving. saidi supplementalframes to: and Vfrom l0 the mainframes. lengthwise of the grabvariablyf to lengthenit, and:meansorsimultaneouslv ex-,

tending. and: retractingv said arms-at all .relative positions. of said. supplemental :and main' framesg!` 7. In a hoistjgrabfthe ombinationoi a maint. 15

frame,.a supplementalsramerat,eachend of. the

main: frame, arms. mountedL at oppositely-dis-y posed 4vsides.1.of said; mainland '.1 s'upplemc-ntaLA framesl for movements. laterally;thereof;v means formoving saidsupplemental frames to. and. from 2 0.

said .main frame lengthwise of., the; grabWariabIy 1 to lengthen. it, andftelescopiodriving. connections for simultaneously` extending andrretracting said l arms at all relative .positions of: saidisupplemenf.. tal vand .main frames. .l

frames..- for.. movementsgzlaterally;t11ereof,.1said 30 arms being providedat :tlieiriouterx ends With'load.-y

engaging. jawsprackand.pinion connections .for` movingsaid .supplemental .frames to 4.and from themain framelengthwise of. the grab variablyV l r: .25`4 8. In a hoist grab,` thercombination ofra.man-. frame,: a supplemental. frame at eachendof uthe-fA porte'dby'fthe mainframazfarms mounted atthe Aoppositelyedisposed .sides of .said .supplemental framesfor movements laterally thereof,1saidV armscbeingiprovidedf; at'their outer' ends with load-@engaging jawsi lmeans .for 'movin'g saidV supplementalxframes.vr to and from the main frame lengthwise. of vthe grab; variablyto lengthen it, and. means `for.vsimultaneously' extending and iretracti'ng-said arms at .all relativepositions offsaid..

main andsupplemental frames...

v10. 1n ahoist grab,1.the. combination of a main frame .adapted J to vbe' suspended :from 'a support,

a supplemental :framelat each end ofr the .main

framegxarrns mountedat the oppositely-disposed sidespof isaid: supplemental iframe for movements laterally; thereof, said 'arms' being provided at theiroutenend's .with load-engaging jaws, .means for. moving, lsaid.supplemental..frames toi and. from-uthe mainframe lengthwise. lof' the` grab l variablyrto `lengthen it, and, telescopic ldriving Y connectionsextending betweensaid supplemental framexfor 'simultaneously extending. and .1'e. i

tractinggsaid arms at all relative `positions of said supplemental and: main frames.

11.,In` :a. hoist; grabgzthe combinationahof a frame .adapted .to belsuspendedfrom a support,

armsipositioned atv oppositely-disposecl4 sidesof the; frame-and ni'ovalole.laterallyv thereof Variably toV Widenlthe grab,a .banattachedto the lower ends :of thev arms at leach; side fof the grab-Land load-engaging jawsr mountedv'for longitudinalv adtolengthenit, and-telescopi'cldriving connections 35 justment. upon each of said. lars.l

for simultaneously extendingv and Jretracting. said L arms at lall. relative Vpositions of said supplernen.

tal rand mainframes.

JOHN. W. jTODD.` l 

